Portable Sawmilling

Process

Project estimate

We offer portable sawmill services to clients located within 60 miles of Knox County, IL. Each milling job is unique— based on site accessibility, lumber type, and desired dimensions— I discuss specifics on the phone before any milling takes place. My cell is 309-368-7437 and you can call/text me anytime. You can see examples of milling on my IG or FB page.

Below, I’ve provided a basic overview of my pricing. Please note that I do not cut down trees and I do not barter milling services for lumber

When we talk on the phone, I will ask you about the dimensions of the trees you wish to have milled, their condition, your project goals, and your site. I do have a minimum fee of 3 hours, so you can choose to do as little or as much of your project as you like. Customers set a budget and I work within that figure.

Estimated project Cost

We mill by the hour and not the bdft, our current rate is $100 per hour. That rate starts as soon as I arrive on your property, it does not include any machine malfunctions but does include changing blades. If we hit metal a new blade will be required and the damaged blade will be disposed of and will result in a $35 charge. Travel Cost - our current rate is $1.25 per mile traveled outside of Knox County, that rate includes traveling to and from the milling site.

Estimating project time

Many people ask me how long it takes to mill a log and unfortunately, it’s highly variable: If everything is stacked well, I can process a log every 20 minutes. Some general rules of thumb are as follows: the cleaner, greener, softer, and more cylindrical a log, the faster I can go. A 24” diameter 10’ pine log might take me and my mill 20 minutes to process. The fewer cuts I have to make, the faster I go (cutting four 6x6s from a 12x12 cant goes a lot faster than cutting twenty-four 1x6s). If I have a helper who is pulling the slabs off the mill as soon as the blade exits the log, I can work quicker. Anything over 36” diameter can get complicated. A hardwood log that has been down over a year may require an extra blade change. If we are slabbing out a large crooked log it could take over an hour. However, in most cases, it’s safe to assume a ballpark of 45 minutes per log.

Stacking and Site clean up

Our sawmill services are for processing only. You can keep your costs down if you or a helper pull the lumber off the mill. Unless you are using your lumber immediately, you will need “stickers” or thin wood strips that go between your drying lumber. We can cut these from softwoods on your property or you can buy them at the hardware store. You will need a lot! One sticker per 12-16", I would recommend youtubing how to sticker and stack lumber.

We can handle a log 36" wide and 20' long, the log will be cut down to produce a 34" board if that is desired. My mill cannot lift a 36" by 20' oak log or hardwood log, if were a softwood then we are in business. It can lift a 36" hardwood log that is in the neighborhood of 14'

What's the largest log your mill can handle?

Payment

Payment is due when milling is completed. No Exceptions.

GOT WOOD?